MOBILE, Alabama - Carolina Panthers cornerback Captain Munnerlyn wanted to be "a living witness" to the youngsters gathered today for the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Alabama Youth of the Year Luncheon.

In a ballroom at the Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel, Munnerlyn credited his mother and the Josephine Allen Boys and Girls Club for helping him "make it out of the Happy Hill projects, where they said you can't make it out of."

Munnerlyn, who starred in football and track at Murphy High School, was the keynote speaker for the luncheon, where Cody Norris of Theodore was named the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Alabama Youth of the Year.

"I'm here to encourage you guys," Munnerlyn told the luncheon attendees - Boys and Girls Clubs members and supporters -- before sharing stories, not just of the obstacles he's overcome, but of his failures along the way.

Munnerlyn told the youngsters about times in his life when he got complacent instead of striving to excel - when he settled for C's on his high school report card because he thought that was good enough, started cutting class in college because he thought he was a football star and quit working as hard as usual because he'd reached the NFL.

In each instance, he changed course before it was too late.

In high school, a South Carolina recruiter told him he had the drive to make it to the pros. Munnerlyn said a light switch went off in his head, and he picked up his grades because "I wanted to be successful."

At South Carolina, football coach Steve Spurrier benched him for not going to class, then had Munnerlyn explain to reporters why he wasn't playing - an embarrassing episode he promised wouldn't be repeated.

After making it in the NFL, Munnerlyn found his position occupied by another player at the start of last season. But he applied himself and came back to start the final 14 games of the year.

"The only reason I'm telling you the bad stories is to let you know you can make it," Munnerlyn said, "if you put your mind to it and trust and believe in God and the people in this room. They won't steer your wrong."

Munnerlyn's father was murdered when he was 6. His brother was in and out of jail. Munnerlyn said when his mother's life changed for the better, his life changed, too.

"If the head of the household can change her life, it can change everyone's life," he said.

His mother accepted Christ when he was in the second grade. That's when he started a regimen of Wednesday night Bible school, Sunday school and church that "helped out for the best."

When he was in the sixth grade, his mother told him it was time to make a change in his life, too. They prayed together "and something changed. When I fully gave my life to Christ, I saw a difference immediately."

Munnerlyn said he went out and scored 48 touchdowns in an eight-game youth football season. But the change in him went far beyond football.

"I'll tell you this: If you will just trust and believe in yourself and believe in God, you can do it," Munnerlyn said. "I'm a living witness to that."

He called on the youngsters to be different, not to mimic the destructive behavior or follow the unproductive paths that they see around them.

The 2013 Youth of the Year is a member of the Sonny Callahan Boys and Girls Club. Among his activities with the group, Norris was a founding member of the Gavel Club, where members learn poise and public-speaking skills; and is a member of the Keystone Club, a service organization of the Boys and Girls Club. He also participates in community-outreach activities at New Life Ministries. A junior at Theodore High School, Norris hopes to become a chemical engineer.

As Youth of the Year, Norris received a $1,000 scholarship to be put toward his college education, a $100 cash award and a watch.

The runner-up for the Youth of the Year Award was Jenna Rocker of the Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club. She received a $500 scholarship and a $100 cash award.

Four club Youth of the Year award winners also were recognized: Jalexia Collins of the Roger Williams Boys and Girls Club, Braxton Horne-Lee of the Cody Road Boys and Girls Club, Vanity Parker of the Optimist Boys and Girls Club and Marcus Powe of the Semmes Boys and Girls Club. Each received a $100 cash award.